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Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, LMU Munich (Englische Philologie), course: Proseminar Postcolonial Literature, language: English, abstract: Ever since its publication in 1999, J.M. Coetzee’s award-winning novel Disgrace has stirred up a lot of controversy. Its negative depiction of blacks has been seen as an endorsement of white racist stereotypes. In this essay, I first analyze the degree of realism in Disgrace. Second, I assess how Disgrace can be read as a criticism of "New South Africa", a decade after the dismantling of the Apartheid system

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, LMU Munich (Englische Philologie), course: Hauptseminar Postcolonial Literature, language: English, abstract: Henry Rider Haggard is often considered as a crude imperialist and chauvinist expansionist ideals, whereas Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness has often been called the anti-imperialist novel par excellence. In this essay, I argue against this perspective. I claim thatin comparison to Heart of Darkness, which indeed projects Africa as a negative foil for Europe, Rider Haggard manages to give Africa and its inhabitants, despite his literary shortcomings, a graceful quality not found in Conrad’s work. While both authors depict Africa as ‘the other world’ in the way their ambitions and prejudices create an image with little historical accuracy, Haggard’s embellished social utopia fails to display the deep-seated anxiety towards Africa Achebe finds in Conrad.

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: USA, grade: 1,0, University College Cork (Department of Government), course: GV2001 Politics of the United States of America, language: English, abstract: The political system of the United States is characterised by separation of powers with an elaborate system of checks and balances among the three constitutional branches: Congress the presidency and the court. In this essay I trace back this system back to the historical intention of its framers, assess the current distribution of powers and discuss problematic developments.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: International Organisations, grade: 1,0, University College Cork (Department of Government), course: Übung Global Governance, language: English, abstract: In the realm of international politics, few debates have become as tedious as the quest for United Nations (UN) Security Council reform. After an overview of the SC's role and functions, this essay discuesses previous attempts of reform and the reform models at stake. Weighing the balance between efficiency and legitimacy, this essay argues that the addition of new permanent members and a change of veto regulations are red lines which cannot be crossed, and that, instead, the addition of six non-permanent members might be the least common denominator.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: South Asia, grade: 1,1, University College Cork (Department of Government), course: GV 4403 – Dynamics of State Politics, language: English, abstract: The Indian state of Punjab is mentioned mostly for the secessionist activities of its Sikh majority, the assassination of Indira Ghandi marking their inglorious peak in 1984. But despite strong Sikh nationalism, Punjab’s sub-political system is comparatively weak. While the region is well off in comparison to other Indian states, a number of political and economic problems persist. By looking at Punjab’s political history and the evolution of Indian federalism, I assess the degree to which these problems can be attributed to flaws in the federal design. In my view, they result from three factors: deliberate constitutional arrangements, especially regarding revenues, over-complexity and underdevelopment of local politics, and the political implications of Punjab’s Sikh heritage.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject History Europe - Other Countries - Middle Ages, Early Modern Age, grade: 1,3, University College Cork (Department of History), course: Science and Religion, language: English, abstract: Throughout the centuries, the condemnation of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) by the Roman Inquisition has sparked a number of controversial interpretations. In this essay, I will try to assess if religious ideas were central to his first trial (roughly from 1611 to 1616), or whether personal grudges and ecclesiastical power politics were at the root of Galileo’s persecution.

Master's Thesis from the year 2011 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: International Organisations, grade: 1,0, LMU Munich (Geschwister Scholl Institute for Political Sciences), language: English, abstract: Against the backdrop of the renminbi issue, this paper retraces the unique trajectory of the international law (IL) on exchange rates – from the lawlessness of the gold standard to a highly regulated system under Bretton Woods and back to the obscure arrangement that has prevailed ever since the Second Amendment of the IMF's Articles of Agreement. By employing the concept of legalization, it argues that international monetary stability is a public good which, as a collective action problem, provides strong incentives for cooperation. However, the analysis of the IMF's bilateral surveillance regime reveals that after the Second Amendment hard legalization no longer served the interests of the IMF membership, while the costs of hard legal rules tipped the scale in favour of soft commitments. Specifically, the paper finds that exchange rates are subject to high uncertainty costs stemming from measurement difficulties, complexity, goal incongruence and subjectivity; as well as sover-eignty costs due to reputational damage, distributional impact and loss of monetary power.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, University College Cork (Department of English), course: Studies in Shakespeare, language: English, abstract: This essay examines the contrasting character of love in Twelfth Night. In this play, love is presented as a highly ambiguous affair, eventually bringing about the romantic happiness of a triple wedding as well as the bleakness of Malvolio’s and Antonio’s bitter rejection. In particular, subtexts of unfulfilled homosexual longing and unappeasable class conflict are explored.

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Russia, grade: 1,0, University College Cork (Department of Government), course: Global Governance, language: English, abstract: In the wake of the Georgian conflict in August 2008 a heated debate about the necessity of further NATO enlargement has emerged. The prospects for Georgia and Ukraine of their candidacy being moved to the next stage is fading. In this essay I will outline the developments to date, present the arguments against and in favour of enlargement and argue that ultimately, despite its high-blown rhetoric, NATO is unlikely to grant Georgia and Ukraine membership in the near future.